i think the first time i saw kool dj red alert in the flesh was at APT when he was negroclash's guest. prince language used to call me the unofficial negroclash mc but that night, i think it was a winter night...i was in awe of what i experienced, red alert played for six hours or so with one hand and two turntables. i believe all vinyl, this was pre-serato and holy moly.
another night, months later, also at apt, red was back...this time i mustered up the courage to introduce myself and see how he was doing. i asked about how he would describe djing...he said it was like painting and went on to talk about the canvas and colors. it was a great moment, sitting there...i think he was eating chicken wings.
when i started working at table 50 we got to have red play twice - both nights memorable, once with monk one and emskee - once with the root down...
somehow i had a chance to interview him and its imprint stays strong on me...i love listening to people's stories and here are some red shared with me thursday, january 20th, 2005.
after seeing beats, rhymes and life: the travels of a tribe called quest i was reminded of all these moments i've had, all the time i spent runnin through the trenches. part of me died with hip hop, if hip hop is alive i don't recognize it, and there are parts of me i can't recognize anymore either.
reminds me of movie night with jem cohen when ian mackaye talked about how punk has no meaning anymore - and i thought the same for hip hop....but the truth remains that it did keep my heart beating for just long enough...
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